I'm still reading Making Marriage Work by Joyce Meyer. I can only read small parts at a time, or else I don't have time to digest the information given. These are bits and pieces of what I read this morning:
"Just be willing to begin and don't even be concerned about who is doing what." p.272
"In many marriages it is practically impossible to tell what the real problem ever was to start with."
"...don't get discouraged if your partner does not change immediately."
"I always say that it takes us years to make our messes, and we cannot get upset if one or two good choices does not get us our of them."
"Consistent good choices over an extended period of time will begin to turn a situation around."
"I don't share these things to be discouraging, but rather to be realistic."
"A bad marriage can turn around overnight, but it usually does not happen that way."
"Don't allow the worldly 50/50 proposition mentality to get you to give up if you don't get the response from your partner you desired." p. 273
"Love begins with acceptance. Love changes us."
"...if we want some remodeling done in our relationships, we should focus on our own behaviours."
------------------------------------------------------------
Be willing to be the first one to change, but in godly ways. Changing does NOT mean becoming what your partner asks/wants/desires/demands, but it means becoming the best you that you can be. Becoming more God-like, and accepting ourselves where we are at today.
Thursday, October 24, 2013
Tuesday, April 16, 2013
Love, Why Is It So Difficult?
Love, which is the most important part of the Bible, of being Christian, of being human is so hard! Why has loving others become such a difficult thing. There are so many hurt and hurting people on the planet, and we all have our backs up so much that we can't seem to let go enough to love. Even to love those closest to us. Loving our husbands and wives, our children, our parents and siblings. And let's just forget loving strangers!
"What a profound mystery that Christ came as a servant to us, yet we find it hard to serve others." ~Joyce Meyer
I sit and wonder when loving became so difficult for humanity as a whole. I know why it is difficult for me. I chose to marry my husband, and God bless him, I haven't been easy on him. But then I sit and think about the fact that Christ came so that we could love others, to serve them. Not to be their servants, but for us to serve them. To help others and to put others needs before our own. If we all did that with our spouses and children, just imagine how different life would be for everyone. If we had to ability to remember that we are not the centre of the universe, that we were not the most important being here today. That, just like us, our spouses have a right to their thoughts/feelings/opinions. That they were allowed to feel loved and not judged.
"God loved us first, and we loved Him back. He reaffirms us concerning His love and we start loving others and eventually, the love becomes so intertwined in us that it no longer matters who was the first to love the other." ~Joyce Meyer
What if, no matter what our feelings are screaming at us about today, we did something to show those closest to us that we love them. That we are here to make their days brighter, even if they don't do anything for us in return. What if we were able to continue to do nice things, and to be a shining star to others, regardless of what we get in return. (I am putting a disclaimer here though because Christ did not put us on this earth to be abused. If you are being abused, Christ does not want that for you. Those abusers need to be loved from far away. His plan is not for us to be used and abused.)
"What a profound mystery that Christ came as a servant to us, yet we find it hard to serve others." ~Joyce Meyer
I sit and wonder when loving became so difficult for humanity as a whole. I know why it is difficult for me. I chose to marry my husband, and God bless him, I haven't been easy on him. But then I sit and think about the fact that Christ came so that we could love others, to serve them. Not to be their servants, but for us to serve them. To help others and to put others needs before our own. If we all did that with our spouses and children, just imagine how different life would be for everyone. If we had to ability to remember that we are not the centre of the universe, that we were not the most important being here today. That, just like us, our spouses have a right to their thoughts/feelings/opinions. That they were allowed to feel loved and not judged.
"God loved us first, and we loved Him back. He reaffirms us concerning His love and we start loving others and eventually, the love becomes so intertwined in us that it no longer matters who was the first to love the other." ~Joyce Meyer
What if, no matter what our feelings are screaming at us about today, we did something to show those closest to us that we love them. That we are here to make their days brighter, even if they don't do anything for us in return. What if we were able to continue to do nice things, and to be a shining star to others, regardless of what we get in return. (I am putting a disclaimer here though because Christ did not put us on this earth to be abused. If you are being abused, Christ does not want that for you. Those abusers need to be loved from far away. His plan is not for us to be used and abused.)
"The book of Ephesians explains this lesson of love by saying that we are to be useful and helpful and kind to one another, tenderhearted, compassionate, and understanding with the other." ~Joyce Meyer
"Once we invite
Jesus into our relationships, and do what He says to do, we become like
Him in our thoughts and deeds, and consequently, we become loving like
He is and we develop and maintain good relationships." ~Joyce Meyer
Think about love. Think about serving others. It might be easier to think about serving someone you don't know at all, or don't know very well at first. But everyday wake up and think about how you could serve others. How could you show those around you that you love them. It could be as simple as picking up your husbands balled up and dirty socks without complaining and putting them in the wash, just like you asked him to do for the past 3000 days ;) It could be something huge like donating a large sum of money to an organization that helps a lot of people. It could be picking up your neighbours trash can and bringing it back to their steps on garbage day.
Think about love. Act on love. Stop keeping score. Don't boast about what you did and for who. Just love.
Tuesday, March 26, 2013
Truly Loving Others
"The entire law is summed up in a single command: "Love your neighbour as yourself."" Galatians 5:14 (NIV)
Having spent the last year and a half reading the Bible every morning (sometimes just one verse), I truly believe that loving other people is truly the most important lesson (taught over and over) in the Bible. Knowing that, and applying it, are really two different things. Changing your habits, and the way you've done things over the the last 30+ years (or more or less) is a really difficult, but not impossible, thing to do.
Before you can truly love someone else, you need to love yourself AND you need to have peace. If you don't have internal peace, it is almost impossible to love anyone properly. Accepting the fact that everyone is different helps you to achieve internal peace.
"Everyone being different is what makes life interesting so why do we fight it so furiously?" ~Joyce Meyer
"We have no ability to change other people. Only God can work within the heart of an individual and make changes that are true and lasting." ~Joyce Meyer
"It is easy for us to see what is wrong with other people, but quite difficult to squarely face our own faults."~Joyce Meyer
"...we cannot change other people so why waste our time trying? It only frustrates us, steals our peace, and makes the one we are trying to change feel unloved and rejected." ~Joyce Meyer
I know all these things, and I am trying to change them within myself, but it is one of the most difficult things I have ever had to do. Giving my opinion (whether is was asked for or not) is something I have always done. Learning to sit back and truly listen to others, and to allow them to have their own opinions, is a learning process for me. Learning to love a husband that is so different than I am (I mean God does in on purpose, we all seem to marry our opposites...there are lessons in that), is something I will have to work towards for the rest of our life together. But bombarding him with my opinions of his every move, opinions, and desires really don't do anything other than make him want to keep to himself. What if I had too live with someone like me?
Truly thinking before you speak is a great way to show love. It is a great way to do as the Bible/God/Jesus asks of all of us. To truly love your neighbour (husband/wife/child/parent/friend/stranger) as yourself!
Having spent the last year and a half reading the Bible every morning (sometimes just one verse), I truly believe that loving other people is truly the most important lesson (taught over and over) in the Bible. Knowing that, and applying it, are really two different things. Changing your habits, and the way you've done things over the the last 30+ years (or more or less) is a really difficult, but not impossible, thing to do.
Before you can truly love someone else, you need to love yourself AND you need to have peace. If you don't have internal peace, it is almost impossible to love anyone properly. Accepting the fact that everyone is different helps you to achieve internal peace.
"Everyone being different is what makes life interesting so why do we fight it so furiously?" ~Joyce Meyer
"We have no ability to change other people. Only God can work within the heart of an individual and make changes that are true and lasting." ~Joyce Meyer
"It is easy for us to see what is wrong with other people, but quite difficult to squarely face our own faults."~Joyce Meyer
"...we cannot change other people so why waste our time trying? It only frustrates us, steals our peace, and makes the one we are trying to change feel unloved and rejected." ~Joyce Meyer
I know all these things, and I am trying to change them within myself, but it is one of the most difficult things I have ever had to do. Giving my opinion (whether is was asked for or not) is something I have always done. Learning to sit back and truly listen to others, and to allow them to have their own opinions, is a learning process for me. Learning to love a husband that is so different than I am (I mean God does in on purpose, we all seem to marry our opposites...there are lessons in that), is something I will have to work towards for the rest of our life together. But bombarding him with my opinions of his every move, opinions, and desires really don't do anything other than make him want to keep to himself. What if I had too live with someone like me?
Truly thinking before you speak is a great way to show love. It is a great way to do as the Bible/God/Jesus asks of all of us. To truly love your neighbour (husband/wife/child/parent/friend/stranger) as yourself!
Sunday, February 24, 2013
Before Breakfast, Philippians 4
So I got up with my alarm even though I really didn't want to this morning! It was a long night for me, although it wasn't filled with illness/anxiety/fear, I just couldn't sleep.
I cracked open my current Joyce Meyer read (Change Your Words, Change Your Life) and this is what I read:
"First and foremost, we should pray about everything. When we pray we are not only asking God to help us, but we are asking Him to advise us about any action we should take."
Then she quoted: "Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God." Philippians 4:6
Well that is as far as I went in the book. I ended up reading all of Philippians 4 in (NIV) and I wanted to put all the quotes that stood out to me here.
"Rejoice in the Lord Always. I will say it again: Rejoice! 5Let your gentleness be evident to all." (4:4-5)
"Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God."(4:6)
"And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus." (4:7)
"...whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable -- if anything is excellent or praiseworthy -- think about such things. 9Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me -- put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you." (4:8-9)
"I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. 12 I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want." (4:11-12)
"I can do everything through him who gives me strength." (4:13)
"To our God and Father be glory for ever and ever. Amen." (4:20)
I stayed with this in my quiet God/coffee time this morning. I hope that it brings peace to someone else this morning. God truly is a great and merciful God. And I am learning, that although there are many hardships of varying degrees in this life, He is always there. There is always good in it, somewhere.
"
I cracked open my current Joyce Meyer read (Change Your Words, Change Your Life) and this is what I read:
"First and foremost, we should pray about everything. When we pray we are not only asking God to help us, but we are asking Him to advise us about any action we should take."
Then she quoted: "Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God." Philippians 4:6
Well that is as far as I went in the book. I ended up reading all of Philippians 4 in (NIV) and I wanted to put all the quotes that stood out to me here.
"Rejoice in the Lord Always. I will say it again: Rejoice! 5Let your gentleness be evident to all." (4:4-5)
"Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God."(4:6)
"And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus." (4:7)
"...whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable -- if anything is excellent or praiseworthy -- think about such things. 9Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me -- put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you." (4:8-9)
"I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. 12 I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want." (4:11-12)
"I can do everything through him who gives me strength." (4:13)
"To our God and Father be glory for ever and ever. Amen." (4:20)
I stayed with this in my quiet God/coffee time this morning. I hope that it brings peace to someone else this morning. God truly is a great and merciful God. And I am learning, that although there are many hardships of varying degrees in this life, He is always there. There is always good in it, somewhere.
"
Wednesday, January 2, 2013
Broccoli, Turkey, and Rice Casserole
These children of mine are finally starting to eat mixed foods (I've been trying for a good 5 years now). I wasn't sure it would go over well today, but it did!
Broccoli, Turkey, and Rice Casserole
1 large head of broccoli, cut in bite-sized pieces (steamed)
1 can cream of mushroom soup
1 1/2 cups milk
1 small onion, finely chopped
2 cloves garlic, minced
Pepper, to taste
2 cups shredded old cheddar, reserve 1/2 cup
2 cups cooked turkey
2 cups cooked rice, basmati
1. Steam the broccoli, throw in casserole dish. Add in cooked turkey and cooked rice, mix together.
2. In a small saucepan bring the can of soup, milk, onion, garlic and pepper to a simmer. Add 1 1/2 cups of cheddar, whisk in until smooth.
3. Add the sauce to the casserole dish and mix until completely mixed.
4. Sprinkle with remaining 1/2 cup of cheese. Put in 350F oven for about 20 minutes.
5. Serve with a green veggie or salad. My girls mixed their peas in with their serving!
Broccoli, Turkey, and Rice Casserole
1 large head of broccoli, cut in bite-sized pieces (steamed)
1 can cream of mushroom soup
1 1/2 cups milk
1 small onion, finely chopped
2 cloves garlic, minced
Pepper, to taste
2 cups shredded old cheddar, reserve 1/2 cup
2 cups cooked turkey
2 cups cooked rice, basmati
1. Steam the broccoli, throw in casserole dish. Add in cooked turkey and cooked rice, mix together.
2. In a small saucepan bring the can of soup, milk, onion, garlic and pepper to a simmer. Add 1 1/2 cups of cheddar, whisk in until smooth.
3. Add the sauce to the casserole dish and mix until completely mixed.
4. Sprinkle with remaining 1/2 cup of cheese. Put in 350F oven for about 20 minutes.
5. Serve with a green veggie or salad. My girls mixed their peas in with their serving!
Tuesday, January 1, 2013
Homemade Instant Oatmeal
I don't like to buy the boxes of instant oatmeal for many reasons. The first reason is the cost of it, compared to quick oats in bulk. There is also the amount of sugar, salt, unpronounceable words, etc. This is the recipe that we like.
Homemade Instant Oatmeal
3 cups quick oats
1/3 cup brown sugar
1/4 cup flaxseeds
1/4 cup chia seeds
1/4 cup finely chopped nuts (walnuts or pecans are our usual suspects)
2 tsp cinnamon
1. Mix everything together in a big bowl, and then move it to a food storage container/jar/large ziploc bag.
2. When you want to eat some take 1/3 of a cup of oat mixture. Mix in a microwaveable bowl with 1/4 cup of water and 1/4 cup of milk (or all water if you prefer).
3. Cook for 1-2 minutes, stirring after a minute.
These are some of the things we add to the bowl after:
1. frozen wild blueberries
2. unsweetened applesauce
3. mashed banana
4. more nuts or sunflower seeds
5. any other fruit, fresh or frozen
Homemade Instant Oatmeal
3 cups quick oats
1/3 cup brown sugar
1/4 cup flaxseeds
1/4 cup chia seeds
1/4 cup finely chopped nuts (walnuts or pecans are our usual suspects)
2 tsp cinnamon
1. Mix everything together in a big bowl, and then move it to a food storage container/jar/large ziploc bag.
2. When you want to eat some take 1/3 of a cup of oat mixture. Mix in a microwaveable bowl with 1/4 cup of water and 1/4 cup of milk (or all water if you prefer).
3. Cook for 1-2 minutes, stirring after a minute.
These are some of the things we add to the bowl after:
1. frozen wild blueberries
2. unsweetened applesauce
3. mashed banana
4. more nuts or sunflower seeds
5. any other fruit, fresh or frozen
Sunday, February 27, 2011
Menu Plan Monday - Week 8 in 2011
Saturday - Order Pizza and Crudites
Sunday - Meatball Sliders (leftover meatballs and sauce) with mozzarella (Jaime Oliver's Meatballs and sauce from freezer) with sauteed garlicky green beans
Monday - Broccoli, Ham and Cheese Frittata p.160 Chatelaine (March 2011) with Mixed Berry Cobbler (Chef Michael Smith's)
Tuesday - Citrus-Garlic Chicken Breast (5 Ingredient Fix), Mashed Potatoes, Carrots, Sauteed Mushrooms and Onions
Wednesday - Haddock, Red Quinoa and Broccoli
Thursday - Pea Nutty Noodles (p.128 The Family Dinner) with carrot, cucumber, edamame and tofu
Friday - Meat and Potato Cupcakes (Rachael Ray's Tv Show), Green Veggie (Friday is grocery day), Couscous
Snacks:
*Apple Carrot Zucchini "Cake" (minus the icing) p.141 Company's Coming: Easy Healthy Recipes
*Banana Bread (with Cauliflower Puree) p.54 Deceptively Delicious
Lunch:
*Broccoli and Cheddar White Bean Spread
For more of my menus go HERE :)
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